"Such balance as in your approach is rare these days when few newscasters rely upon the ethical requirements of their journalistic profession. The lives of civilians on either side of the conflict must be deemed important."
October 7, 2023
Dear Ms. Fatah,
Thank you for your balanced approach in your segment of the CBC News Network today as to the issue of the escalation of violence surrounding the enclave of Gaza.
After years of an ongoing Israeli blockade by air, land, and sea of what is often termed an ‘open air prison”, the militants of Gaza struck back primarily against the Israeli military. Many Canadians well remember the scenes of the Israeli snipers shooting at the unarmed protestors of Gaza during their Great March of Return. Many also remember the Canadian doctor who was shot in both legs while assisting those wounded near the Israeli fence.
Your question as to the potential impact on the civilian population of Gaza was answered by the usual tripe of "the fighters embedding themselves amongst the civilian population", yet news video continues to show residential buildings deliberately targeted by the Israeli air force. And the Prime Minister of Israel vows to unleash a response of such a magnitude the Palestinians will be extinguished.
Such balance as in your approach is rare these days when few newscasters rely upon the ethical requirements of their journalistic profession. The lives of civilians on either side of the conflict must be deemed important. With deep regret, both sides seem to be able to ignore international law requiring significant attention be paid to the minimizing of the impact upon civilians. With substantially great firepower, the impact of the Israeli response will cause many civilian deaths amongst the Palestinian population.
Your reporting and questioning provide the appropriate balance on the issue of civilian casualties.
All best wishes
Tom
Walter Thomas Beckett